Sample Expository Essay Topics From Students

Tenth-graders wrote the following general expository essay topics. Students

can practice writing these topics or use the list to come up with topics of their
own. The important thing to remember is that these expository essays are
based on facts rather than the writer's beliefs or feelings.

1. Explain why you admire a particular person.

2. Explain why someone you know should be regarded as a leader.
3. Explain why parents are sometimes strict.
4. If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
5. Explain why you especially enjoy a particular teacher.
6. Explain why some cities have curfews for teens.
7. Explain why some students are forced to leave school once they are
sixteen.
8. Explain how moving from place to place affects teens.
9. Explain why getting a driver's license is an important event in the lives
of many teenagers.
10.Describe the major stressors in teens' lives.
11. Explain why you like or don't like working in a team.
12.Describe some nonmaterial things that make you happy.
13.Explain why some teens commit suicide.
14.Explain how music affects your life.
15. Explain the impact of different music genres on society.
16.Explain why students listen to a particular type of music.
17. Explain why some teens skip school.
18. Explain the likely consequences of skipping school.
19.Describe the likely consequences of doing poorly in school.
20. Explain why teens do drugs.
21.Describe the likely consequences of selling drugs.
22. Describe the likely consequences of taking drugs.
23. Explain why teens smoke cigarettes.
24. Explain the likely consequences of being kicked out of school.
25. Explain the likely consequences of skipping classes.
26. Explain the likely consequences of brothers and sisters constantly
fighting.
27.Explain why teens wear makeup.
28. Explain the consequences of having alcohol on the school campus.
29. Explain the likely consequences of being sexually active without
using protection.
30. Explain why some teens' parents do not like to be alone with their
child's boyfriend or girlfriend.
31.Explain the likely consequences of increasing the time between classes
from five to 15 minutes.
32. Explain why some teens join gangs.
33. Explain the difficulties some teens have once they are in gangs.
34. Explain how life for a teenager changes once she has a baby.
35. Describe what you feel a boy should do if he finds out his
girlfriend is pregnant.
36. Explain why you should or should not laugh at embarrassing
moments.
37.Describe the effects of marijuana.
38. Explain the likely consequences of teens becoming sexually active.
39. Explain why it is helpful to organize your materials and activities.
40. Explain why your schoolwork is important.
41.Describe the ways you help out at home.
42. Explain the likely consequences of abolishing capital punishment.
43. Explain the consequences of adopting a pass/fail grading system.
44. Explain the likely consequences of enforcing an 11:00 p.m. curfew.
45. Explain the likely consequences of ending forced busing.
46. Explain why some teenagers dislike saying the pledge to the flag.
47. Explain why some schools don't have open lunch policies.
48. Explain why most teenagers are materialistic.
49. Explain why some teens get jobs.
50. Explain the consequences of having a job while in high school.
51. Explain the likely consequences of dropping out of school.
52. Describe some productive ways students can spend their leisure
time.
53. Explain why dealing with their parents' divorce can be difficult for
many teens.
54. Explain why teens love their parents even when family situations
are difficult.
55.Describe the things that bring you the greatest happiness.
56. Describe three things you would like to change the world and
explain why you would change them.
57.Explain why you prefer living in an apartment (or house).
58. Describe the likely consequences of requiring a childbearing
license.
59. Describe three objects that symbolize our culture and explain why
you selected them.
60. Explain why you are interested in a particular career.
61.Explain the likely consequences of requiring students to wear school
uniforms.
Exemplary Topics for Expository Essays

Social Problems Expository Essay Topics

1. To vote or not to vote? Describe possible effects

2. What a young person can do, if they failed to finish college?

3. What does alcohol addiction among teenagers leads to?

4. Teen pregnancy: is it the norm?

5. Why should there be a school uniform? Why not?

6. If you were the president of your country, what would you change?

7. What are the consequences of drug addiction?

8. Is there such a thing as ‘tolerance'? Does it work as it should?

9. Discuss the ‘glass ceiling’ issue. How can it be addressed?

10. How does Internet addiction affect children if at all?

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Ethical Issues Expository Writing Topics

1. How do you understand the ‘code of ethics’?

2. What should a 17-year-old do, if his girlfriend says she’s pregnant?

3. Divorce: Which parent would you choose and why?

4. Would you agree to your loved one getting assisted suicide?

5. Consequences of implementing gun control

6. Death penalty: Would you get rid of it and why?

7. Is there such a notion of ‘honor' in today's society?

8. How would you stop racism?

9. Express your understanding of morality

10. Should abortion be prohibited?

Health Expository Writing Topics

1. Advise on how to stay fit.

2. Healthy food: Describing the consequences of eating healthy.

3. Why snacks and fast-food are harmful?

4. Can the World Health Organization actually cure ‘incurable’ diseases?

5. Correlation between poverty and AIDS. Why this disease haunts poor countries?

6. Does music affect our state of health?

7. Interrelation of health and IQ level.

8. What are the common strategies for dealing with ADSD?

9. Are heroism and patriotism ‘normal’ things in terms of mental health?

10. How should a college student live healthily?

Topics for Expository Essays on Literature

1. Dorian Gray: A villain or a victim?

2. Characterize means of creating a female character in "A Doll's House"

3. Analyze the author's style in …

4. Define the main symbols used in "Leaves of Grass."

5. Beowulf: The impact of the epic on the image of a hero in art

6. Analyze the role of secondary characters in a play

7. Harry Potter: Consequences of being the chosen one

8. John Snow: A noble bastard

9. Consequences of H. Wells’ “Time Machine”

10. Describe the means of comedy in "The Golden Compass"

History Expository Essay Topics

1. Characterize impacts of gunpowder invention

2. Describe the invention of the first newspaper

3. Analyze the effects of Queen Victoria’s reign

4. Define the role of Astronomy in Ancient Greece

5. Describe how silk and tea export shaped modern China's economy

6. Samurai’s honor and the industrial development of Japan

7. Effects of the French Revolution

8. The Crusaders: Villains or Heroes?

9. The Templars: Guards of Faith or Mercenaries?

10. Causes and effects of Nationwide Prohibition of the 1920s

Science and Technology Expository Essay Topics for

College
1. Consequences of Internet invention

2. Instagram: Causes and effects of being addicted to social networks

3. How did radio shape the modern world?

4. The theory of general relativity: The impact on modern physics

5. Arabic vs Latin numerals. Why the Arabic ones won?

6. iPhone: A significant leap in the field of mobile technology.

7. Why Elon Musk’s inventions are so detrimental?

8. Stephen Hawking’s impact on astrophysics

9. Will we ever land on Mars?

10. Time travel: Why is it (im)possible?

Expository Topics on Religion and Philosophy 
1. Consequences of Nietzsche’s claims about God

2. Why is there no single religion?

3. The image of Jesus in Islamic religious tradition

4. Christianity and Medieval Europe

5. The reformation of the Catholic church

6. Can modern people leave according to 10 commandments?

7. Describe your understanding of 7 deadly sins

8. What is your life philosophy?

9. The role of existentialism in shaping modern philosophy

10. Is it possible to construct Aristotle’s Republic?

Education Expository Essay Topics

1. Causes and effects of adult illiteracy

2. How should the education sector be changed in your country?

3. Can a person get an outstanding education at home?

4. Which subjects could be taught at schools?

5. Is it fair that athletes get scholarships?

6. Higher education and its impact on a future career

7. Does ‘educated' mean the same as ‘smart'?

8. Which subjects should not be included in school education?

9. What does it mean to be a good teacher?

10. Private school vs public school

Topics for Expository Esssay on Personal Experience 

1. Describe your first memory

2. What is the brightest memory of your childhood?

3. Depict your first success at a sport

4. What is your favorite school subject?

5. What is your brightest dream about the future?

6. When did you meet your first love?

7. Who was your first teacher? How they impacted your personality?

8. How did upbringing affect your personality

9. What do you like about cooking?

10. What’s your favorite movie or book?

Expository Essay Topics for College

1. What would you do if you could live forever?

2. What was your first day at a college like?

3. How to combine your studies with a part-time job and leisure?

4. What are the leading causes of rising divorce rates in the USA?

5. Has the Internet made communication easier?

6. Enumerate tips on how to become financially independent

7. The correlation between teenage depression and teenage suicide rates

8. Does alcohol actually solve problems?

9. If you were to create your own world, what will it be like?

10. Describe issues that are not being solved effectively nowadays. Why is that happening?

Topics for Expository Essays about High School

1. Who is your role model? Why?

2. Would you like to be a celebrity?

3. What music genre do you like? Why?

4. Why is leadership not for everyone?

5. Describe how we could colonize other planets

 6. What would happen if humanity found another form of conscious life that is not as
developed as we are? Would we follow the conquistador scenario?

7. What makes you passionate about art/sport?

8. If you could meet anyone from the past, who would it be?

9. Is it more convenient to live in an apartment or a private house?

10. If you could get a superpower, which one would you choose?

14.1 Four Methods of Delivery

Learning Objectives

1. Differentiate among the four methods of speech delivery.

2. Understand when to use each of the four methods of speech delivery.

Maryland GovPics – House of Ruth Luncheon – CC BY 2.0.

The easiest approach to speech delivery is not always the best. Substantial work goes into the
careful preparation of an interesting and ethical message, so it is understandable that students
may have the impulse to avoid “messing it up” by simply reading it word for word. But students
who do this miss out on one of the major reasons for studying public speaking: to learn ways to
 “connect” with one’s audience and to increase one’s confidence in doing so. You already know
how to read, and you already know how to talk. But public speaking is neither reading nor
talking.

Speaking in public has more formality than talking. During a speech, you should present yourself
professionally. This doesn’t mean you must wear a suit or “dress up” (unless your instructor asks
you to), but it does mean making yourself presentable by being well groomed and wearing clean,
appropriate clothes. It also means being prepared to use language correctly and appropriately for
the audience and the topic, to make eye contact with your audience, and to look like you know
your topic very well.

While speaking has more formality than talking, it has less formality than reading. Speaking
allows for meaningful pauses, eye contact, small changes in word order, and vocal emphasis.
Reading is a more or less exact replication of words on paper without the use of any nonverbal
interpretation. Speaking, as you will realize if you think about excellent speakers you have seen
and heard, provides a more animated message.

The next sections introduce four methods of delivery that can help you balance between too
much and too little formality when giving a public speech.

Impromptu Speaking
Impromptu speaking is the presentation of a short message without advance
preparation. Impromptu speeches often occur when someone is asked to “say a few
words” or give a toast on a special occasion. You have probably done impromptu
speaking many times in informal, conversational settings. Self-introductions in
group settings are examples of impromptu speaking: “Hi, my name is Steve, and
I’m a volunteer with the Homes for the Brave program.” Another example of
impromptu speaking occurs when you answer a question such as, “What did you
think of the documentary?”

The advantage of this kind of speaking is that it’s spontaneous and responsive in an
animated group context. The disadvantage is that the speaker is given little or no
time to contemplate the central theme of his or her message. As a result, the
message may be disorganized and difficult for listeners to follow.

Here is a step-by-step guide that may be useful if you are called upon to give an
impromptu speech in public.

 Take a moment to collect your thoughts and plan the main point you want
to make.
 Thank the person for inviting you to speak.
 Deliver your message, making your main point as briefly as you can while
still covering it adequately and at a pace your listeners can follow.
 Thank the person again for the opportunity to speak.
 Stop talking.

As you can see, impromptu speeches are generally most successful when they are
brief and focus on a single point.

Extemporaneous Speaking
Extemporaneous speaking is the presentation of a carefully planned and rehearsed
speech, spoken in a conversational manner using brief notes. By using notes rather
than a full manuscript, the extemporaneous speaker can establish and maintain eye
contact with the audience and assess how well they are understanding the speech as
it progresses. The opportunity to assess is also an opportunity to restate more
clearly any idea or concept that the audience seems to have trouble grasping.

For instance, suppose you are speaking about workplace safety and you use the
term “sleep deprivation.” If you notice your audience’s eyes glazing over, this
might not be a result of their own sleep deprivation, but rather an indication of
their uncertainty about what you mean. If this happens, you can add a short
explanation; for example, “sleep deprivation is sleep loss serious enough to
threaten one’s cognition, hand-to-eye coordination, judgment, and emotional
health.” You might also (or instead) provide a concrete example to illustrate the
idea. Then you can resume your message, having clarified an important concept.

Speaking extemporaneously has some advantages. It promotes the likelihood that

you, the speaker, will be perceived as knowledgeable and credible. In addition,
your audience is likely to pay better attention to the message because it is engaging
both verbally and nonverbally. The disadvantage of extemporaneous speaking is
that it requires a great deal of preparation for both the verbal and the nonverbal
components of the speech. Adequate preparation cannot be achieved the day before
you’re scheduled to speak.

Because extemporaneous speaking is the style used in the great majority of public
speaking situations, most of the information in this chapter is targeted to this kind
of speaking.
Speaking from a Manuscript
Manuscript speaking is the word-for-word iteration of a written message. In a
manuscript speech, the speaker maintains his or her attention on the printed page
except when using visual aids.

The advantage to reading from a manuscript is the exact repetition of original

words. As we mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, in some circumstances
this can be extremely important. For example, reading a statement about your
organization’s legal responsibilities to customers may require that the original
words be exact. In reading one word at a time, in order, the only errors would
typically be mispronunciation of a word or stumbling over complex sentence
structure.

However, there are costs involved in manuscript speaking. First, it’s typically an
uninteresting way to present. Unless the speaker has rehearsed the reading as a
complete performance animated with vocal expression and gestures (as poets do in
a poetry slam and actors do in a reader’s theater), the presentation tends to be dull.
Keeping one’s eyes glued to the script precludes eye contact with the audience. For
this kind of “straight” manuscript speech to hold audience attention, the audience
must be already interested in the message before the delivery begins.

It is worth noting that professional speakers, actors, news reporters, and politicians
often read from an autocue device, such as a TelePrompTer, especially when
appearing on television, where eye contact with the camera is crucial. With
practice, a speaker can achieve a conversational tone and give the impression of
speaking extemporaneously while using an autocue device. However, success in
this medium depends on two factors: (1) the speaker is already an accomplished
public speaker who has learned to use a conversational tone while delivering a
prepared script, and (2) the speech is written in a style that sounds conversational.

Speaking from Memory

Memorized speaking is the rote recitation of a written message that the speaker has
committed to memory. Actors, of course, recite from memory whenever they
perform from a script in a stage play, television program, or movie scene. When it
comes to speeches, memorization can be useful when the message needs to be
exact and the speaker doesn’t want to be confined by notes.
 The advantage to memorization is that it enables the speaker to maintain eye
contact with the audience throughout the speech. Being free of notes means that
you can move freely around the stage and use your hands to make gestures. If your
speech uses visual aids, this freedom is even more of an advantage. However, there
are some real and potential costs. First, unless you also plan and memorize
every vocal cue (the subtle but meaningful variations in speech delivery, which can
include the use of pitch, tone, volume, and pace), gesture, and facial expression,
your presentation will be flat and uninteresting, and even the most fascinating topic
will suffer. You might end up speaking in a monotone or a sing-song repetitive
delivery pattern. You might also present your speech in a rapid “machine-gun”
style that fails to emphasize the most important points. Second, if you lose your
place and start trying to ad lib, the contrast in your style of delivery will alert your
audience that something is wrong. More frighteningly, if you go completely blank
during the presentation, it will be extremely difficult to find your place and keep
going.
Key Takeaways
 There are four main kinds of speech delivery: impromptu, extemporaneous,
manuscript, and memorized.
 Impromptu speaking involves delivering a message on the spur of the moment, as
when someone is asked to “say a few words.”
 Extemporaneous speaking consists of delivering a speech in a conversational fashion
using notes. This is the style most speeches call for.
 Manuscript speaking consists of reading a fully scripted speech. It is useful when a
message needs to be delivered in precise words.
 Memorized speaking consists of reciting a scripted speech from memory.
Memorization allows the speaker to be free of notes.

Exercises
1. Find a short newspaper story. Read it out loud to a classroom partner. Then, using
only one notecard, tell the classroom partner in your own words what the story said.
Listen to your partner’s observations about the differences in your delivery.
2. In a group of four or five students, ask each student to give a one-minute impromptu
speech answering the question, “What is the most important personal quality for
academic success?”
3. Watch the evening news. Observe the differences between news anchors using a
TelePrompTer and interviewees who are using no notes of any kind. What differences do
you observe?
Source: https://open.lib.umn.edu/publicspeaking/chapter/14-1-four-methods-of-
delivery/#:~:text=There%20are%20four%20main%20kinds,a%20conversational%20fashion%20using
%20notes.

Key Differences Between

Prepared and Impromptu
Speeches
Differences Between Prepared and
Impromptu Speeches
There are several different types of speeches that one can deliver. They range
from perfectly memorized, to completely off the cuff with no preparation at all.

Prepared Speech
The most common type of speech is a prepared speech. For a prepared speech,
the speaker was been given the topic in advance, had time to do background
research on it, and has practiced delivering the speech.
This type of speech may be used when giving a presentation or speaking in a
business meeting.
However, preparation does not necessarily mean memorizing every word. A
prepared speech can be an extemporaneous, manuscript, or memorized speech,
or a combination of these techniques. An extemporaneous speech is often
delivered with the aid of note cards to help the speaker remember key points and
content order. A memorized speech is one that is recited from memory without
the aid of scripts or cue cards. A manuscript speech is one that has the entire
speech written out for reference.
When preparing for a speech one should:

 Rehearse the speech as it will be presented (that is, with visual aids,
standing or sitting as will be appropriate for the real speech, etc.)
 Time the rehearsal
 Rehearse in front of others
 If possible, rehearse in the location where the speech will be delivered to
become more comfortable in the space, see how the audience will view the
speech, and see how much space is available for movement
 Create a visual and audio recording of the speech, and look for areas
where body language or vocal performance should be improved

Impromptu Speech
Another type of speech that is less commonly seen in society (but nonetheless
very useful to understand) is the impromptu speech. Impromptu speaking occurs
when the speaker is given no time to prepare for the speech; he or she is given a
topic and must immediately begin speaking on it. This speaking style involves
thinking on one's feet and being able to plan the flow of the speech as the
speaker is giving it.
While this seems like a difficult style in which to give a speech, most speech in a
person's daily life is impromptu. People do not background research on every
conversation or prepare for hours before speaking to friends. However, having to
give this kind of a speech to an audience or on a topic one is not so familiar with
can definitely be a challenge.
The most common example of a real world impromptu speech is the elevator
pitch. When in an unanticipated situation where one is speaking to someone who
has the ability to advance one's career or provide an opportunity in a new field, it
is crucial to be able to deliver an excellent impromptu speech.
Source: https://lumen.instructure.com/courses/218897/pages/linkedtext54269?
module_item_id=5007137

Four Types of Speeches

Speeches can be categorized into four broad areas depending on the amount of
preparation that is undertaken and depending upon the nature of the
occasion. The four types of speeches are manuscript, memorized,
extemporaneous, and impromptu. Our aim is to acquaint you with these four
different modes of delivery, to provide suggestions for when you are asked to
make impromptu remarks, and then to focus most your time on the preparation,
practice, and presentation of extemporaneous speeches.

Manuscript Speech

When you listen to the President deliver a State of the Union message, you listen
to a well-crafted speech being read from a teleprompter. The speech has been
polished by a staff of speechwriters and has been practiced many times. The
President will know how to anticipate the reaction of the audience and will know
when to pause for applause and when to expect laughter. This form of speaking
is used when the exact words matter and when much time and energy is
expended on getting everything just right. There are times when people who are
not leaders of countries deliver manuscript speeches as well. They are used
when people testify before Congress, when people read important statements in
a public setting, or when people deliver reports at professional meetings. All call
for exact words in the correct order.

While the President has access to a staff of speech writers and a teleprompter,
most of us do not. If you were given this type of assignment, you would have to
read your manuscript speech from printed notes. In that case, you would want to
ensure that you had prepared your manuscript carefully, using large fonts so you
could read it easily without burying your nose in the pages. Reading the speech
does not allow you to skimp on the preparation. Practice the speech many times.
This allows you to make changes, if needed, and to select the best words to
communicate your exact meaning. Remember to speak clearly and naturally
-strive for a conversational tone. It shouldn’t sound read -even if you are reading.
Also, remember to speak slowly; there is a natural tendency to speed up when
we speak in public. Delivering a speech is not a race; you do not receive bonus
points for finishing early.

Unless you are specifically told by your instructor to prepare and deliver a
manuscript speech, you should never write out the entire speech. Spend your
time developing your outline, organizing your ideas, and determining where you
can best insert your supports. Then practice using the outline while speaking.

Memorized Speech

When you were in elementary school, did you ever have to memorize a poem or
a part of a speech? If you are like most students, the answer is “Yes. ” There is
nothing wrong with memorization. But if you try to memorize a speech, you risk
forgetting what you planned to say and coming across as completely unprepared.
Memorizing your speech is even worse than reading it. All the objections that
apply to the read speech also apply to the memorized speech. Spontaneity is
gone. The speech can sound stilted. Often, delivery is too rapid. Concentration is
on the words, not the ideas. Sometimes the speech sounds too formal, like a
written essay. There is minimal feedback or other contact with the audience. And
what happens if your mind goes completely blank or if an audience member
interrupts? The entire presentation will likely fall apart. Memorizing a speech puts
entirely too much pressure on the speaker.
That said, there are a couple of parts of the speech that you may want to have
memorized -or practiced so well that you can deliver them almost as if
memorized. These include:

Your introduction: It sets the stage for the entire speech. The words should
be well chosen and rehearsed. You may find that as you repeat this portion
of the speech during your rehearsals you do come to memorize it word for
word. If so, this is fine. After all, once you have determined the best way of
saying something, why not use it? Just make sure the presentation does not
sound memorized.
Your conclusion: The summary and call to action are the final words that
your audience will hear. As with the introduction, if you practice this
repeatedly you will develop the best way to say what you want and you will
probably have perfected this portion of the speech.

Impromptu Speech

There will come a time for all of us when we are asked to “say a few words
” without much preparation. You haven’t prepared any notes, you haven’t
practiced what you’ll say, and you’re being asked to “wing it. ” While this may
seem incredibly scary, impromptu presentations are the most common type of
public speaking. You’re in class and suddenly the professor wants to hear how
group projects are going. You, as the leader of your group, are asked to stand
and briefly discuss what the group is doing and how much you’ve completed so
far. That’s an impromptu speech. You didn’t know when you headed to class that
day that you’d be speaking in public, but you did it. No sweat! Or maybe you’re in
a meeting at work and the boss announces that he wants you to brief everyone in
the meeting on the new equipment being installed that afternoon. Again, no prior
planning, no notes, you just do it. That’s impromptu speaking.

Extemporaneous Speech

The focus of most college courses in public speaking is the

extemporaneous speech. This is because this is the type of speech used most
in business, education, preaching, and political affairs. Few of us will ever have a
professional staff of speechwriters or ever deliver a speech with the aid of a
teleprompter. But when you do have a speech or presentation to deliver, you’ll
want to sound prepared, authoritative, and clear.
Simply stated, an extemporaneous speech is one where you will have time
for preparation and practice but will not be expected to read from a
manuscript or to have the speech memorized. The question most students
ask is, “How much time should be spent in preparation and practice? ” Perhaps
Mark Twain said it best. When speaking about preparing for an impromptu
speech, he noted, “It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good
impromptu speech ” (King). While celebrated as a humorist, there is much truth in
his words. To appear to be speaking off the cuff, and to do it well, you must
prepare thoroughly and practice to perfection. When you speak
extemporaneously, it means you’ve had ample time to prepare and research and
that you have rehearsed your speech (many times) using an outline or notes to
remind you of the progression of ideas you wish to present. You will follow all the
normal steps outlined in the earlier chapters. Choose a topic, narrow
appropriately, analyze your audience, choose your supports, and create an
outline. You will know your speech so well and will amaze your audience!
Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-fscj-publicspeaking/chapter/four-types-of-speeches/